Easter is not merely the proof — the “bill of sale” – that Good Friday accomplished salvation, but rather is the salvation that Good Friday accomplished! Easter is the ultimate telos of Good Friday. A soteriology that too narrowly focuses on legal cleansing as the sole/primary benefit of the cross will inevitably minimize the soteriological significance of resurrection and new life (both Christ’s and the believer’s). Christ didn’t die just so our sins could be forgiven (as though that solved the problem), but that through his death and the forgiveness of sins we might have new life in him.

Or to say it again, Easter is not the bill of sale, but the thing purchased.